Wheel clamping bicycle carrier

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

0001This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/878,755, which was filed on Sep. 17, 2013, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

00021. Field of the Invention

0003The present invention relates to bicycle carriers and, more particularly, to a bicycle carrier that can support a bicycle(s) by its wheels.

00042. Discussion of the Related Art

0005Vehicle mounted bicycle carriers are known. Some bicycle carriers support the bicycles substantially at their wheels. These known bicycle carriers typically require the bicycle carriers to engage components of the bicycles other than the wheels for stabilization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0006The present invention is directed to a bicycle carrier that allows for carrying at least one bicycle on a motor vehicle by holding the bicycle(s) at its wheels only, and more specifically by holding the bicycles by engaging the tires mounted to the wheels, without touching the frame of the bicycle(s) and without touching the areas of the wheels inwardly of the tires. The bicycle carrier includes retaining arms pivotally connected to a main bar that supports wheel supports configured to receive bicycle wheels. Hooks are movably mounted on the retaining arms to engage the bicycle wheels on the tires, to capture and retain the bicycle wheels between the hooks and wheel supports that are supported by the main bar of the bicycle carrier, allowing the bicycle(s) to be carried only by the bicycle wheels, without load-bearing restraint contact between the bicycle carrier and other components of the bicycle(s), including the portions of the wheels located inwardly of the tires. The retaining arm and hooks can be configured for free movement in unrestricted movement directions and locked against movement in opposite restricted movement directions. This facilitates moving the retaining arms and hooks to provide an open or bicycle receiving configuration of the bicycle carrier and locking the hooks against the bicycle wheels by closing the retaining arms and hooks by pivoting and sliding, which may be done without requiring additional manipulation of restraint hardware at the retaining anus or hooks. In this way, bicycle(s) can be quickly secured in the bicycle carrier without tools by merely pushing components or portions of the retaining arms and hooks while ensuring that bicycle components other than the bicycle wheels are free of contact from other structures, which reduces the likelihood of scratching or otherwise damaging such other bicycle components.

0007According to one aspect of the invention, a bicycle carrier is provided for carrying at least one bicycle on a motor vehicle. The bicycle carrier has a main bar having first and second ends. A wheel support is arranged with respect to the main bar to support a wheel of a bicycle. A retaining arm is configured for retaining the wheel of the bicycle in a fixed position relative to the wheel support. The retaining arm has a first end defining a pivot axis of the retaining arm and a second end arranged to move with respect to the main bar to engage the wheel of the bicycle for retaining the wheel of the bicycle in a fixed position. An arm locking arrangement is arranged at the first end of the retaining arm and configured to allow free movement of the retaining arm in a first direction of travel about the pivot axis. The first direction of travel of the retaining arm defines an unrestricted movement direction. The arm locking arrangement restricts movement of the retaining arm in a second, opposite direction of travel about the pivot axis, defining a restricted movement direction.

0008According to another aspect of the invention, the arm locking arrangement may be configured to lock the retaining arm into multiple locked positions corresponding to positions defined by the retaining will when the retaining arm stops movement in the unrestricted movement direction. The unrestricted movement direction may be defined by movement of the second end of the retaining win toward an intermediate section of the main bar. The restricted movement direction may be defined by movement of the second end of the retaining arm away from an intermediate section of the main bar. The arm locking arrangement may include a one-way mechanism configured to allow movement of the retaining arm in the unrestricted movement direction and prevent movement of the retaining arm in the restricted movement direction. The arm locking arrangement may include a release mechanism configured to release the one-way mechanism for allowing movement of the retaining arm in the restricted movement direction. The one-way mechanism may include a ratchet arrangement. The ratchet arrangement may include a toothed surface and a stop that includes an end configured to advance across the toothed surface when the retaining arm is moved in the unrestricted movement direction and to lock against the toothed surface to prevent movement of the retaining arm in the restricted movement direction. The release mechanism may be arranged with respect to the stop for moving the stop to disengage from the toothed surface of the ratchet arrangement. The release mechanism may include a button. The button may be arranged at the second end of the retaining arm. The release mechanism may include a link that interconnects the button and the stop.

0009According to another aspect of the invention, the wheel support may define a wheel support of a first pair of aligned wheel supports arranged at a first side of the bicycle carrier. A second pair of aligned wheel supports may be arranged at a second side of the bicycle carrier. The retaining arm may define a first retaining man arranged at a first end of the bicycle carrier and a second retaining arm may be arranged at a second end of the bicycle carrier. Each of the first and second retaining arms may be configured to engage respective wheels of bicycles supported by the first and second pans of aligned wheel supports on the first and second sides of the bicycle carrier, respectively. Each of the first and second retaining arms may include a first hook extending in the direction of the first side of the bicycle carrier and a second hook extending in the direction of the second side of the bicycle carrier.

0010According to another aspect of the invention, a height adjustment arrangement may be arranged with respect to each of the first and second hooks of each of the first and second arm locking arrangements. The height adjustment arrangement is configured for selectively adjusting a position of the corresponding hook relative to the respective one of the first and second arm locking arrangements. On each of the first and second arm locking arrangements, the first and second hooks may be configured for height adjustment independent of one another. The first arm locking arrangement may be supported by a first bracket at the first end of the bicycle carrier and arranged between respective wheel supports of the first and second pairs of wheel supports at the first end of the bicycle carrier.

0011According to another aspect of the invention, the bicycle carrier includes a bicycle lock arrangement configured for locking a bicycle to the bicycle carrier. The bicycle lock arrangement has a cable arrangement configured for storage with respect to the main bar. A lock mechanism of the bicycle lock arrangement is configured to selectively lock segments of the cable, arrangement to each other. A lock enclosure may be arranged at at least one of the first and second ends of the main bar and configured for storing the lock mechanism with respect to the main bar. The cable arrangement and the lock mechanism may be configured for storage inside of the main bar. The bicycle lock arrangement may include a lock release arrangement configured to selectively permit withdrawal of at least a portion of the cable arrangement from storage inside of the main bar. At least a portion of the cable arrangement, such as a cable segment, may be withdrawn from storage inside of the main bar by removal through at least one of the first and second ends of the main bar. The lock mechanism may be arranged with respect to the cable segment for removing the lock mechanism from the lock enclosure by moving in unison with the at least a portion of the cable segment during removal of the at least a portion of the cable segment out of the at least one of the first and second ends of the main bar.

0012According to another aspect of the invention, the lock release arrangement may include a gate configured to engage an outer surface of the cable segment to prevent removal of the lock mechanism and the at least a portion of the cable segment from storage inside of the main bar. The gate may define a resting state in which the gate is biased against the outer surface of the cable segment. The lock release arrangement may include an actuator, such as, a button arranged with respect to the gate for moving the gate to disengage the outer surface of the cable segment for allowing removal of the lock mechanism and the at least a portion of the cable segment from storage inside of the main bar. The lock enclosure may include a socket and the lock mechanism is configured to nest within the socket of the lock enclosure in a stored position of the lock mechanism.

0013The lock enclosure may define a first passage through which a first cable segment extends to longitudinally advance during withdrawal of the at least a portion of the first cable segment from storage inside of the main bar and a second passage through which a second cable segment extends to longitudinally advance during withdrawal of the at least a portion of the second cable segment from storage inside of the main bar.

0014These and other features and aspects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating a representative embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0015A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention, and of the construction and operation of typical mechanisms provided with the present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views, and in which:

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a front side perspective view of a bicycle carrier in accordance with the present invention, showing the carrier arms in an extended, operative position;

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a front side perspective view of a portion of the bicycle carrier as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a partially schematic side elevation view of a height adjustment arrangement of the bicycle carrier as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is another partially schematic side elevation view of the height adjustment arrangement as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a partially schematic side elevation view of an arm locking arrangement of the bicycle carrier as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is another partially schematic side elevation view of an arm locking arrangement as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is another partially schematic side elevation view of an arm locking arrangement as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is front elevation view of the bicycle carrier as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, showing the arms in a folded, inoperative position;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref> is a partial front side perspective view of a bicycle lock arrangement incorporated in the bicycle carrier as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref> is a partial front side perspective view of a variant of the bicycle lock arrangement of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>;

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a front side perspective view of a lock enclosure of the lock arrangement of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>; and

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a back side perspective view of the lock enclosure of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

0028Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described by the following non-limiting examples which will serve to illustrate various features of the invention. With reference to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows a representative embodiment of the present invention as a bicycle carrier <b>5</b> that allows for carrying at least one bicycle on a motor vehicle by holding the bicycle(s) at its wheels only, and specifically at the tires mounted to the wheels, without touching the frame of the bicycle(s) and without touching the portions of the wheels located inwardly of the tires. Although the bicycle carrier <b>5</b> is shown configured for carrying two bicycles, it is understood that the bicycle carrier <b>5</b> may be configured for carrying a single bicycle, or more than two bicycles. This may be done by, for example, arranging fewer of the various components shown for accommodating and securely carrying a single bicycle with the bicycle carrier <b>5</b>. Bicycle carrier <b>5</b> can be configured to carry more than two bicycles by arranging more of the various components shown for accommodating and securely carrying bicycles with the bicycle carrier <b>5</b>, such as by transversely or longitudinally aligned multiple sets of the components to accommodate carrying more than two bicycles, with the number of the multiple sets of components within the bicycle carrier <b>5</b> corresponding to the number of bicycles carried by bicycle carrier <b>5</b>.

0029Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, bicycle carrier <b>5</b> includes a receiver bar <b>7</b> that may include a receiver adapter <b>9</b> that inserts into a receiver <b>10</b> of a hitch <b>11</b> of the motor vehicle (not shown), in a manner as is known. A bracket <b>13</b> interconnects the receiver bar <b>7</b> to a main bar <b>15</b> at an intermediate portion <b>17</b> of the main bar <b>15</b>. The main bar <b>15</b> defines first and second ends <b>19</b>, <b>21</b> on opposing sides of the intermediate portion <b>17</b>. First and second sides <b>23</b>, <b>25</b> of the bicycle carrier <b>5</b> are defined on opposing sides of a longitudinal axis along which the main bar <b>15</b> extends. At least one wheel support <b>27</b> is arranged with respect to the main bar <b>15</b> to support a wheel of a bicycle. As shown in this embodiment, a first pair of wheel supports <b>27</b> that are aligned with each other is arranged at the first side <b>23</b> of the bicycle carrier <b>5</b>. A second pair of wheel supports <b>27</b> that are aligned with each other is arranged at the second side <b>25</b> of the bicycle carrier <b>5</b>. As shown, each wheel support <b>27</b> defines a cradle-type form that is configured to receive and support a bicycle wheel from below by engaging a lowermost surface of the wheel, specifically be engaging the tire that is secured to the wheel. In one embodiment, the wheel supports <b>27</b> may be those described as supporting element(s) disclosed in the commonly owned U.S. application Ser. No. 13/586,194, published as U.S. Pub. No. 2013/0062385, although it is understood that the wheel support may include other configurations.

0030Still referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a retaining arm <b>29</b> is arranged at each of the first and second ends <b>19</b>,<b>21</b> of the bicycle carrier <b>5</b>. Each retaining arm <b>29</b> is configured to move about a pivot axis <b>31</b> freely in a first direction, such as toward the intermediate portion <b>17</b>, and to prevent movement about the pivot axis <b>31</b> in a second direction, such as away from the intermediate portion <b>17</b>, which is described in greater detail elsewhere herein. The pivot axis <b>31</b> is defined at a first end <b>33</b> of the retaining arm <b>29</b>. A second end <b>35</b> is arranged opposite the pivot axis <b>31</b> of the retaining arm <b>29</b>. Each retaining arm <b>29</b> includes a pair of hooks <b>37</b>, with one hook <b>37</b> extending in the direction of the first side <b>23</b> and the other hook <b>37</b> extending in the direction of the second side <b>25</b> of the bicycle carrier <b>5</b>. Within each retaining arm <b>29</b>, each hook <b>37</b> is arranged to move along a track <b>39</b> on a pair of posts <b>41</b> independently of the other hook <b>37</b> on the same retaining arm <b>29</b>. This may accommodate securing bicycles with different size wheels into the respective wheel supports <b>27</b> on the first and second sides <b>23</b>, <b>25</b> of the bicycle carrier <b>5</b>.

0031Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2, 3, and 4</figref>, each hook <b>37</b> includes a height adjustment arrangement <b>43</b>. Height adjustment arrangement <b>43</b> is configured to allow adjustment of a position of the hook <b>37</b> along the length of the post <b>41</b> and, therefore, toward or away from the respective wheel support <b>27</b>. Each hook <b>37</b> is configured to move longitudinally along the arm <b>29</b> freely in a first direction, such as toward the main bar <b>15</b> and wheel support <b>27</b> and to prevent movement longitudinally along the arm <b>29</b> in a second direction, such as away from the main bar <b>15</b> and wheel support <b>27</b>, which is described in greater detail elsewhere herein.

0032Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>, in this configuration, the height adjustment arrangement <b>43</b> is configured to allow free movement of the hook <b>37</b> in an unrestricted movement direction which is represented by a solid straight arrow UD (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>) and to restrict movement in the opposite direction to define a restricted movement direction, which is represented by a dashed straight arrow RD (FIG. <b>4</b>). As shown, the height adjustment arrangement <b>43</b> is configured as a one-way mechanism for allowing movement of the hook <b>37</b> in the unrestricted movement direction UD, such as a ratchet arrangement <b>44</b>, while selectively permitting movement in the restricted movement direction RD while requiring a user to manipulate the height adjustment arrangement <b>43</b> to release the restriction against movement in the restricted movement direction RD.

0033Still referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>, the ratchet arrangement <b>44</b> of the height adjustment arrangement <b>43</b> includes a lever <b>45</b> that is biased by a spring <b>47</b> to lock teeth <b>49</b> of a face <b>51</b> of the lever <b>45</b> into teeth <b>53</b> of the track <b>39</b>. Each of the teeth <b>49</b> and <b>53</b> can be generally triangular in cross-section, with each tooth <b>49</b>, <b>53</b> defining first and second surfaces such as lower and upper surfaces that connect at an outermost tip or apex to define the triangular cross-section. Generally V-shaped grooves are defined between adjacent pairs of the teeth <b>49</b> of the lever <b>45</b> and between the teeth <b>53</b> of the track <b>39</b>. An actuator, in the form of a button <b>55</b>, is arranged at an end of the lever <b>45</b> for releasing the teeth <b>49</b> of the lever face <b>51</b> from the teeth <b>53</b> of the track <b>39</b> by pivoting the lever <b>45</b> about a pin <b>56</b>. In this way, the hook <b>37</b> can be height adjusted by pushing the button <b>55</b>, moving the hook <b>37</b> to a new position, and automatically locking the hook <b>37</b> in the new position by releasing the button <b>55</b>. Furthermore, as shown in this embodiment, the height adjustment arrangement <b>43</b> is configured to allow the hook <b>37</b> to freely move downwardly along the arm <b>29</b>, closer to the respective wheel support <b>27</b> and prevent movement of the hook <b>37</b> upwardly along the arm <b>29</b>, further away from the respective wheel support <b>27</b>, without pressing the button <b>55</b>. That is because the pin <b>56</b> and thus the pivot axis of the lever <b>45</b> defined by the pin <b>56</b> is arranged at a lower height than a location of the interfacing surfaces of teeth <b>49</b> of the lever <b>45</b> and teeth <b>53</b> of the track <b>39</b> of the post <b>41</b>.

0034Still referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>, in this configuration, without pushing the button <b>55</b>, moving the hook <b>37</b> downwardly along the arm <b>29</b> automatically deflects the lever <b>45</b> away from the post <b>41</b> toward the position of the lever <b>45</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. This compresses the spring <b>47</b> when lower surfaces of the teeth <b>49</b> of the lever <b>45</b> slide across and over upper surfaces of the teeth <b>53</b> of the track <b>39</b>. The sliding of the teeth <b>49</b> across teeth <b>53</b> and deflection of the lever <b>45</b> occurs until apexes or outermost tips of the teeth <b>49</b> and <b>53</b> pass each other, at which point the compressed spring <b>47</b> biases the teeth <b>49</b> into respective grooves between the next encountered teeth <b>53</b> of the track <b>39</b>, clicking the teeth <b>49</b> and <b>53</b> into an intermeshing relationship with each other. However, the hook <b>37</b> is automatically self-stable and locked against movement away from the main bar <b>15</b> and respective wheel support <b>27</b>. Without pushing the button <b>55</b>, trying to move the hook <b>37</b> up at along the arm <b>29</b> jams and locks the lever <b>45</b> with respect to the post <b>41</b> in the position of the intermeshed engagement of the teeth <b>49</b> of the lever <b>45</b> with the teeth <b>53</b> of the track <b>39</b> in the position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. While trying to move the hook <b>37</b> upwardly along the arm <b>29</b> without pushing the button <b>55</b>, upper surfaces of the teeth <b>49</b> engage and try to slide across the lower surfaces of teeth <b>53</b> of the track <b>39</b>, which tends to pivot the lever <b>45</b> about the pin <b>56</b> and urges the teeth <b>49</b> deeper into the grooves between the teeth <b>53</b> of the track <b>39</b>, preventing movement of the hook <b>37</b> in the restricted movement direction RD. This provides self-locking one-way movement of the hook <b>37</b> while moving the hook <b>37</b> toward a wheel/tire of a bicycle to restrain the wheel/tire of the bicycle between the hook <b>37</b> and the wheel support <b>27</b>. In this way, multiple locked positions of the hook <b>37</b> can be automatically achieved by moving the hook <b>37</b> in the unrestricted movement direction LTD (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>) toward the wheel support <b>27</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) at each location the hook <b>37</b> is in when the hook <b>37</b> stops moving. In each of the multiple locked positions, the hook <b>37</b> is not able to move in the restricted movement direction RD (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>), away from the wheel support <b>27</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), without pushing the button <b>55</b> or otherwise actuating the lever <b>45</b> of the height adjustment arrangement <b>43</b>.

0035Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>, an arm locking arrangement <b>57</b> is arranged at the first end <b>33</b> of each retaining arm <b>29</b>. The arm locking arrangement <b>57</b> is configured to allow free movement of the retaining arm <b>29</b> toward the intermediate portion <b>17</b> to define an unrestricted movement direction which is represented by a solid curved arrow(s) UD and to restrict movement in the opposite direction to define a restricted movement direction, which is represented by a dashed curved arrow(s) RD in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0036Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the arm locking arrangement <b>57</b> is shown configured as a one-way mechanism for allowing movement of the retaining arm <b>29</b> in the unrestricted movement direction UD, such as a ratchet arrangement <b>58</b>, while selectively permitting movement in the restricted movement direction RD while requiring a user to manipulate the arm locking arrangement <b>57</b> to overcome the restriction against movement in the restricted movement direction RD. The ratchet arrangement <b>58</b> includes a bracket <b>63</b> defined by a pair of plates <b>65</b>, each having a lower end <b>67</b> that engages the main bar <b>15</b>. Upper ends <b>69</b> of the plates <b>65</b> have lobes <b>71</b> with arcuate upper surfaces that define toothed surfaces <b>73</b> having teeth <b>75</b>. A release mechanism <b>77</b> is configured to release the one-way action of the ratchet arrangement <b>58</b> for allowing movement of the retaining arm <b>29</b> in the restricted movement direction RD (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). The release mechanism <b>77</b> includes a button <b>79</b> arranged to actuate a link <b>81</b> that is operably connected to a stop <b>83</b> that selectively engages the toothed surface <b>73</b> of the lobe <b>71</b>. The button <b>79</b> is biased by a spring <b>85</b> away from a spring support <b>87</b> so that, in a resting state, the button <b>79</b> is pushed into an extended position, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, which pulls upwardly on the link <b>81</b> and pushes the stop <b>83</b> into the tooth surface <b>73</b>.

0037Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5-7</figref>, the stop <b>83</b> has an end <b>89</b> with a sloped wall <b>91</b> having teeth <b>93</b> that engage the teeth <b>75</b> of the lobe <b>71</b>. Each of the teeth <b>75</b> and <b>93</b> can be generally triangular in cross-section, with each tooth <b>75</b>, <b>93</b> defining first and second surfaces such as inwardly facing and outwardly facing surfaces that connect at an outermost tip or apex to define the triangular cross section. Generally V-shaped grooves are defined between adjacent pairs of the teeth <b>75</b> of the lobe <b>71</b> and between the teeth <b>93</b> of the stop <b>83</b>. A pivot arm <b>95</b> is connected to the link <b>81</b> and arranged to move the stop <b>83</b> about a pin <b>97</b>. The pivot arm <b>95</b> and link <b>81</b> shown in dashed outline show a configuration in which the link <b>81</b> is pulled upwardly in a resting state to hold the stop <b>83</b> against the lobe <b>71</b>. The pivot <b>95</b> and link <b>81</b> shown in solid outline show a configuration in which the link <b>81</b> is pushed downwardly in a resting state to hold the stop <b>83</b> against the lobe <b>71</b>. Regardless, the arm locking arrangement <b>57</b> and release mechanism <b>77</b> are arranged with respect to each other to allow free movement of the retaining arm <b>29</b> in the unrestricted movement direction UD (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) and prevent movement of the retaining arm <b>29</b> in the restricted movement direction RD, unless the release mechanism <b>77</b> is actuated, whereby the retaining arm <b>29</b> is automatically self-stable and locked against movement away from the main bar <b>15</b>. Without actuating the release mechanism <b>77</b>, moving the retaining arm <b>29</b> to fold the retaining arm <b>29</b> toward the intermediate portion <b>17</b> of the main bar <b>15</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) automatically deflects the stop <b>83</b> away from the lobe <b>71</b>. This pulls the link <b>81</b> and the button <b>79</b> downwardly, which compresses the spring <b>85</b> when surfaces of the teeth <b>93</b> of the stop <b>83</b> slide across respective surfaces of the teeth <b>75</b> of the lobe <b>71</b>. The sliding of the teeth <b>93</b> across teeth <b>75</b> and deflection of the stop <b>83</b> occur until apexes or outermost tips of the teeth <b>93</b> and <b>75</b> pass each other, at which point the compressed spring <b>85</b> pushes the link <b>81</b> which biases the stop <b>83</b> and thus the teeth <b>93</b> into respective grooves between the next encountered teeth <b>75</b> of the lobe <b>71</b>, clicking the teeth <b>93</b> and <b>75</b> into intermeshing relationship with each other. However, the retaining arm <b>29</b> is automatically self-stable and locked against movement away from the intermediate portion <b>17</b> of the main bar <b>15</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). Without actuating the release mechanism <b>77</b>, trying to move the retaining arm <b>29</b> outwardly or away from the intermediate portion <b>17</b> of the main bar <b>15</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) jams and locks the retaining arm <b>29</b> with respect to the main bar <b>15</b> in the position of the intermeshed engagement of the teeth <b>93</b> of the stop <b>83</b> with the teeth <b>75</b> of the lobe <b>71</b> in the position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. While trying to move the retaining arm <b>29</b> without actuating the release mechanism <b>77</b>, engagement of respective surfaces of the teeth <b>93</b>, <b>75</b> trying to slide across each other tends to pivot the stop about the pin <b>97</b> and urges the teeth <b>93</b> deeper into the grooves between the teeth <b>75</b> of the lobe <b>71</b>, preventing movement of the retaining arm <b>29</b> in the restricted movement direction RD. This provides self-locking one-way movement of the retaining arm <b>29</b> while moving the retaining arm <b>29</b> toward a wheel/tire of a bicycle to restrain the wheel/tire of the bicycle between the hook <b>37</b> and the wheel support <b>27</b>. In this way, multiple locked positions of the retaining arm <b>29</b> can be automatically achieved by moving the retaining arm <b>29</b> in the unrestricted movement direction UD at each location the retaining arm is in when the retaining arm <b>29</b> stops moving. In each of the multiple locked positions, the retaining arm <b>29</b> is not able to move in the restricted movement direction RD without pushing the button <b>79</b> or otherwise actuating the release mechanism <b>77</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows a schematic representation of moving the retaining arms <b>29</b> in the unrestricted movement direction UD and stopping at different positions to define locked positions (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), at which the retaining arms <b>29</b> require actuation of the release mechanism <b>77</b> to move in the restricted movement direction RD.

0038Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1, 9A, and 9B</figref>, the bicycle carrier <b>5</b> includes a bicycle lock arrangement <b>99</b> that is configured for locking a bicycle to the bicycle carrier <b>5</b>. The bicycle lock arrangement <b>99</b> includes a cable arrangement <b>101</b> configured for storage with respect to the main bar <b>15</b>. Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>, the bicycle lock arrangement <b>99</b> includes a lock mechanism <b>103</b> that is configured to selectively lock cable segments <b>105</b><i>a</i>, <b>105</b><i>b </i>of the cable arrangement <b>101</b> to each other by a lock body <b>106</b><i>a </i>with a bore configured to receive a cable pin <b>106</b><i>b</i>. The lock mechanism <b>103</b>, lock body <b>106</b><i>a</i>, and cable pin <b>106</b><i>b </i>of the bicycle lock arrangement <b>99</b> can be the same as those of—Model No. 981—locking cable <b>8</b>′ available from Saris Cycle Racks of the Saris Cycling Group of Madison, Wis. The lock body <b>106</b><i>a </i>is mounted to a first end of cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>and the cable pin <b>106</b><i>b </i>is mounted to a first end of the cable segment <b>105</b><i>b</i>. Caps <b>106</b><i>c </i>are mounted to second ends of the cable segments <b>105</b><i>a</i>, <b>105</b><i>b</i>, opposite the lock body <b>106</b><i>a </i>and cable pin <b>106</b><i>b</i>. A lock enclosure <b>107</b> is arranged at an end of the main bar <b>15</b> for storing the lock body <b>106</b><i>a </i>and cable pin <b>106</b><i>b </i>with respect to the main bar <b>15</b> while storing the cable segments <b>105</b><i>a</i>, <b>105</b><i>b </i>inside the main bar <b>15</b>, inwardly of the lock enclosure.

0039Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the lock enclosure <b>107</b> includes interconnected side walls <b>109</b>, <b>111</b>, upper and lower walls <b>113</b>, <b>115</b>, and an outer wall <b>117</b>. A socket <b>119</b> extends into the outer wall <b>117</b> and provides a recess configured to receive the lock mechanism <b>103</b> for storage within the lock enclosure <b>107</b>. Openings <b>121</b> extend into the side walls <b>109</b>, <b>111</b> to expose portions of the lock mechanism <b>103</b> to be grasped by fingers of a user when removing the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a</i>, <b>105</b><i>b </i>and the lock mechanism <b>103</b> from the main bar <b>15</b>.

0040Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, the lock enclosure <b>107</b> defines first and second passages <b>123</b>, <b>125</b> at a back portion <b>127</b> of the lock enclosure <b>107</b> that is opposite a front portion <b>129</b>. The first passage <b>123</b> is arranged so that the first cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>longitudinally advances through the first passage <b>123</b> when the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>is being removed from storage inside the main bar <b>15</b>. The second passage <b>125</b> is arranged so that the cable segment <b>105</b><i>b </i>longitudinally advances through the second passage <b>125</b> when the cable segment <b>105</b><i>b </i>is being removed from storage inside the main bar <b>15</b>. The first and second passages <b>123</b>, <b>125</b> have bores with inner diameters that are larger than outer diameters of the cable segments <b>105</b><i>a</i>, <b>105</b><i>b </i>and smaller that outer diameters of the cable caps <b>106</b><i>c </i>to anchor to and prevent complete withdrawal of the cable segments <b>105</b><i>a</i>, <b>105</b><i>b </i>from the main bar <b>15</b> by way of the lock enclosure <b>107</b>. Referring again to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the second passage is connected to a counterbore <b>126</b> that extends as a depression from a back wall of the socket <b>119</b> inwardly to the main bar <b>15</b>. The counterbore <b>126</b> is configured to receive and house the cable pin <b>106</b><i>b </i>for storage in the lock enclosure <b>107</b> behind the lock body <b>106</b><i>a </i>while preventing the cable pin <b>106</b><i>b </i>from passing through the second passage <b>125</b> further inside of the main bar <b>15</b>. A lock release arrangement <b>131</b> is arranged at the lock enclosure <b>107</b> and is configured to selectively permit withdrawal of at least a portion of the cable arrangement <b>101</b> and also the lock mechanism <b>103</b> from storage inside of the main bar <b>15</b>.

0041Referring again to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, the lock release arrangement <b>131</b> includes a gate <b>133</b> configured to engage an outer surface of the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>to prevent removal of the lock mechanism <b>103</b> and the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>from storage inside of the main bar <b>15</b> in a resting state. A spring <b>135</b> biases the gate <b>133</b> against the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>when the gate <b>133</b> is in the resting state. An actuator, in the form of a button <b>137</b>, is arranged with respect to the gate <b>133</b> for moving the gate <b>133</b> to disengage the outer surface of the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a</i>. This allows removal of the lock mechanism <b>103</b> and the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>from storage inside of the main bar <b>15</b>. The gate <b>133</b> and button <b>137</b> may be arranged at the opposing ends of an L-shaped body <b>139</b> that is configured to pivot about a pin <b>141</b> that extends transversely through the lock enclosure <b>107</b>. In this arrangement, the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>can be freely fed through the lock enclosure <b>107</b> because pushing the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>through the first passage <b>123</b> pushes the gate <b>133</b> to pivot about pin <b>141</b> to overcome the biasing force of spring <b>135</b> and move the gate <b>133</b> away from the passage <b>123</b>. This allows the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>to readily slide under the gate <b>133</b>. However, trying to pull the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>out of the main bar <b>15</b> without pushing the button <b>137</b> tends to pull the gate <b>133</b> into tighter engagement against the cable <b>101</b>, preventing movement of the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a</i>. This allows for automatically locking the cable segment <b>105</b><i>a </i>and thus cable arrangement <b>101</b> and lock mechanism <b>103</b> inside of the main bar <b>15</b> for storage.

0042Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9B and 11</figref>, the bicycle lock arrangement <b>99</b> is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref> configured with the cable segments <b>105</b><i>a</i>, <b>105</b><i>b </i>held by two lock enclosures <b>107</b> at the two opposite ends of the main bar <b>15</b>. Both of the cable segments <b>105</b><i>a</i>, <b>105</b><i>b </i>operably engage lock release arrangements <b>131</b> that selectively permit withdrawal of the cable segments <b>105</b><i>a</i>, <b>105</b><i>b </i>from the respective lock enclosures <b>107</b> at the ends of the main bar <b>15</b>. In this configuration, each of the cable segments <b>105</b><i>a</i>, <b>105</b><i>b </i>can pass through the first passage <b>123</b> of its respective lock enclosure <b>107</b> to freely pass under the gate <b>133</b> when pushed into the main bar <b>15</b>, and is prevented from withdrawal from the main bar <b>15</b> by the gate <b>133</b> when the button <b>137</b> is not pushed. As shown toward the left-hand side of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref>, the lock enclosure <b>107</b> that houses the cable pin <b>106</b><i>b </i>includes a plug <b>143</b> arranged in the socket <b>119</b> that substantially closes the outer opening of the socket <b>119</b>. The plug <b>143</b> has a bore <b>145</b> through which the cable pin <b>106</b><i>b </i>and the cable segment <b>105</b><i>b </i>extend and that is aligned with the first passage <b>123</b>.

0043Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.